FRI., JAN. 6

‘The Gin Game’ Elite Theatre Company will present “The Gin Game” tonight through Feb. 12 at the Petit Playhouse, 730 S. “B” St., in Oxnard’s Heritage Square. Shows are at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday. $15 to $17. (805) 483-5118

SAT., JAN. 7

Dance Club Dates Thousand Oaks Dance Club hosts dances at Goebel Senior Adult Ballroom Center, 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks, from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. tonight and Sat., Jan. 21, with music by the Starlighters and Good Vibrations respectively. $5 to $7. (805) 381-2744

Strauss Ranch Stroll Explore Peter Strauss Ranch, 30000 Mulholland Hwy. at Troutdale Drive, Agoura, with a docent from 9 to 11 a.m. and learn the park’s history while viewing ferns and early winter wildflowers on an easy-paced stroll. Free. (805) 370-2301

Bike Rodeo City of Agoura Hills Department of Community Services hosts annual Bike Rodeo for youth ages 6 to 14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in playground area of Willow Elementary School, Agoura Hills. Learn about bike maintenance, safety tips, proper helmet fit. (818) 597-7361

Square Dancers Pi-R Squares Dance Club: Plus level square dance begins with rounds at at 7 p.m. at Borchard Community Center, 190 N. Reino Road, Newbury Park. $6. (805) 492-1442

‘Year of Dog’ in Art An exhibition of paintings in celebration of the Chinese New Year, the Year of the Dog, will be presented through Feb. 28 by the Chinese Brush Painting & Calligraphy Association at Graphaids, 30135A Agoura Road, Agoura Hills, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Today the public is invited to attend an opening reception from 2 to 5 p.m. (805) 493-1939

SUN., JAN. 8

Jump Start Genealogy For those wondering how to begin research into their family tree, the Jewish Genealogical Society of the Conejo Valley and Ventura County will present “How to Begin Your Genealogy Research” from 2 to 4 p.m. at Temple Adat Elohim, 2420 E. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks. Free. (818) 889-6616 Jan

Jazz Club Makes Music The Jazz Club meets at 1 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, 158 N. Conejo School Road, Thousand Oaks. At 3 p.m. the San Fernando Banjo Band will perform. Jammers are welcome. Large dance floor, open bar. $8. (805) 339-0976

All About Greatness The Calabasas Center of Dynamic Living presents “Express Your Greatness in 2006” workshop with Mary Manin Morrissey from 1 to 4 p.m. at Country Inn, 23627 Calabasas Road, Calabasas. Registration: (818) 486-6720

Join the Dance Party USA Dance, Inc., Ventura County Chapter No. 4022, hosts ballroom dancing at House of Dance, 3007 Bunsen Ave., Ste. E, Ventura. Free dance lesson at 2:20 p.m. Dance music by DJ Lana Flora. Music for open dancing from 3 to 5:30 p.m. $5 to $10. (805) 488-4310

MON., JAN. 9

Special Ed Subjects The Oak Park Special Education Advisory Committee presents “Supporting Your Child with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder” at 6:30 p.m. in the Oak Park Library lecture room. Teacher Rise Tyloch (OPUSD) will be the presenter. All ages of AD/HD will be addressed. (818) 522-5211 Leigh Haikin

TUES., JAN. 10

Inspiring Youth to Read Author Jim Trelease will discuss “Growing a Reader: Sowing the Seeds for Reading Success” from 7 to 9 p.m. at Ascension Lutheran Church, 1600 E. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks, as part of the Conejo Valley Adult School’s Parent Talk Lecture Series. $15 to $20. (805) 492-8837

View Historical Figures Ventura County Museum of History & Art, 100 E. Main St., Ventura presents the exhibit of George Stuart historical figures in “Renaissance and Reformation in Europe, 1400 to 1600” today through May 7 in the Smith Gallery. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. $1 to $4. (805) 653-0323

Social Is for Seniors The city of Agoura Hills Department of Community Services Senior Recreation Program hosts its annual “Registration Social” for adults ages 50 and above to learn about opportunities to register for classes, excursions, lectures and more, from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Agoura Hills Recreation Center, 30610 Thousand Oaks Blvd. Light refreshments, door prize drawing. Free. (818) 597-7361

Reserve for AHS Play Reservations must be received by today for the Agoura High School Drama Club and Theater Arts Boosters presentation of their annual murder-mystery dinner on Fri. and Sat., Jan. 13 and 14. The show, “Fashionably Dead,” takes place at a fashion show. Audience participates, has a chance at prizes. Includes a dinner, and after the Saturday show there’ll be a live auction of original costumes worn on runway. $12 for Friday (student night) and $20 Saturday (adult night). Doors open at 6 p.m. Reservations info: (818) 706-1972

Women’s Connection The Thousand Oaks Women’s Connection meets from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Palm Garden Hotel, 495 Ventu Park Road, Newbury Park. Featured today is “Purses on Parade Fashion Show,” guest speaker Luanne Hunt and musical guest Angela Delaire. $20 includes lunch. (805) 497-2949

WED., JAN. 11

Expert on Kids Is Guest Parenting columnist Sandy McDaniel, who has four decades of child development experience, will be guest speaker and discuss “How to Get Out of the Spin Cycle” and provide parenting tools when the Conejo Valley Mothers of Multiples meets at 7 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club, 1980 E. Avenida de Las Flores, Thousand Oaks. (805) 520-3884

Discover Australia World traveler Irma Kackert will present a lecture and slide show on “Australia” at 12:30 p.m. at Goebel Senior Adult Center, 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. (805) 3812744

For Civil War Buffs The Civil Warriors Round Table will meet 6:30 p.m. at Weiler’s Deli, 22323 Sherman Way, West Hills. At 7 p.m. Mike Presswood will present “Perrysville: A Clash of Stubborn Souls.” Buffet dinner $12; attendance only $5. (805) 492-2016

THURS., JAN. 12

Benny Goodman “Sing! Sing! Sing!” is a tribute to

Benny Goodman, starring clarinet

Native Iris for Gardens California Native Plant Society hosts ecture on “Native Irises for YouGarden” from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Sepulveda Garden Center, 16633 Magnolia Blvd., Encino. Bob S u s s m a n , owner of the Matilija Nursery

n Moorpark, will give a presentation. Free. (818) 881-3706

TUES., JAN. 10 virtuoso Ken Peplowski at 8 p.m. in Smothers Theatre, on the Pepperdine University campus at 24255 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu. $35. (310) 506-4522

Moms Hear from Doc A pediatrician will discuss discipline during the Conejo Valley Chapter of Mothers and More meeting from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Westlake Village Civic Center, 31200 E. Oak Crest Drive, Westlake Village. RSVP (818) 880-8211

Chamber Breakfast Calabasas Chamber of Commerce hosts a Chamber breakfast at 7:15 a.m. at Calabasas Tennis & Swim Center, 23400 Park Sorrento. Topic will be “Best-Kept Secrets for Networking.” $12 to $15. RSVP: (818) 222-5680

Gems in Nature Conejo Gem & Mineral Club: Jim Capito will discuss “Streams, Waterfalls, and Chumash Rock Art,” about local points of interest, at 7:30 p.m. at Hillcrest Arts Center, 403 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks. Youth program during the business meeting. Public welcome. Free. (805) 532-1916

FRI., JAN. 13

A Simi

Seniors’ Dance Simi Valley Council on Aging sponsors a dance from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. featuring the Starlighters band and light refreshments plus an opportunity

drawing, at Simi Valley Senior

Center, 3900 Avenida Simi. $6. (805) 583-6363

SAT., JAN. 14

Art Show Reception Arts Council of the Conejo Valley presents “Open to Interpretation: Abstractionism,” an art show featuring local artists at Hillcrest Center for the Arts Galleria, 403 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks, today through March 26. A reception is today from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Art show viewing is 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Free. (805) 381-2747

Celebrating Broadway The Young Artists Ensemble presents “The Last 10 Years: A Celebration of Today’s Broadway” at 8 p.m. at Hillcrest Center for the Arts, Theatre on the Hill, 403 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks. $15 to $20. (805) 381-1246

Swing Dance Fun A community swing dance is at Goebel Community Center, 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks, with a dance lesson at 7 p.m. followed by open dancing to 11 p.m. $5 to $10. (818) 865-1257

Park’s Film History Paramount Ranch on Cornell Road in Agoura has been the site of many television series and films. Join a ranger at 9:30 a.m. for “Around the World in 180 Minutes,” an easy to moderate hike exploring the park’s sites that have played many starring roles, including “substituting” as China, a South Seas island and World War II Germany. Rain cancels. Free. (805) 370-2301

SUN., JAN. 15

Child Safety John Roberts Power Academy, 30495 Canwood St., Ste. 101, Agoura Hills hosts Operation Childsafe from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and tomorrow, Mon., Jan. 16, offering free digital fingerprint and photo. (818) 735-8620

Rhapsody in Flute Musician Eric “Wildcat” Sevilla will play inspiring flute melodies during cultural workshops at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Satwiwa Native American Indian Culture Center, on the grounds of Rancho Sierra Vista/ Satwiwa Park in Newbury Park. Free. For directions call National Park Service (805) 370-2301

The Drum Beats Here Conejo Valley Community Drummers gather at 2 p.m. at Conejo Creek Park North (the northwest corner, outside, behind Thousand Oaks Library, 1401 E. Janss Road). Open to everyone, to participate or watch. (805) 494-7734

WED., JAN. 18

Importance of Bees Beekeeper and landscape architect Frances Knight will discuss the role native bees play in her talk “The ‘Buzz’ About Wild Bees” from 7:15 to 8:15 p.m. at Soka University, 26800 W. Mulholland Hwy., Calabasas. Free with reservations: (818) 878-3741

Business Women Meet Business & Professional Women’s Club of Conejo Valley meets 7 p.m. in Bella Terraza Coffee Shop at Hyatt Westlake Plaza, 880 S. Westlake Blvd., Westlake Village. Speaker Cindy Keitel, MBA, will discuss “Simple things you can do to improve the health of you and your family.” Men and women welcome to attend. (805) 526-5587

Library Series for Tots City of Calabasas Library, 23975 Park Sorrento St., Calabasas hosts special events for children in grades K-5 at 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Feb. 8. Today, Creative Playground will use interactive story and song to celebrate the life of Martin Luther King. On Jan. 25, Abbit the Average will perform a variety show with comedy and magic. Free. (818) 225-7616

OPHS Presents Drama Oak Park High School’s Spotlight Theater Club presents “The Laramie Project,” a controversial play about the brutal slaying of a gay University of Wyoming student. Produced entirely by students. Shows at 7 p.m. tonight through Sat., Jan. 21 at 899 N. Kanan Road, Oak Park. $5 to $10. (818) 735-3300

WL Women’s Club The Westlake Women’s Club, Evening Section, meets at 6 p.m. Women in Conejo Valley invited to attend. Group supports Manna, Ventura County Search and Rescue Team, etc. For location call Gwen at (805) 496-7954